BATU AND THE SEARCH FOR THE GOLDEN CUP

To locate a powerful relic, a group of friends must find allies and confront monsters from Kazakh mythology in this translation from Russian that was a bestseller in Kazakhstan.

One afternoon, Batu, a regular boy in contemporary Almaty, Kazakhstan, accidentally summons Aspara, a 13-year-old warrior prince from the ancient Saka people who has been dead for 2,000 years. Aspara enlists Batu’s help to find the Golden Cup, said to make all those who drink from it “wise, honest, and just.” The duo travel across time and space seeking counsel from Samruk, a giant eagle. When they arrive, however, the eagle is missing, as is her nest in the world’s tallest tree. Instead, they are attacked by the taloned monster Jeztyrnaq. Their narrow escape reveals the need for reinforcements, and Batu invites his friends to join their efforts. Even then, the group makes little progress in the search for the Golden Cup; just as they start to unravel the mystery of its disappearance, they are sabotaged by Batu’s bully, Scorpion, and Scorpion’s cruel grandfather. The adventure concludes with an epic battle with evil spirit Shahruh, who manifests as a giant black bear, and many lingering questions to be answered in sequels. Although the twists are predictable and the dialogue leans heavily on repetitive insults, the dramatic battles, plentiful monsters, and fast pacing make this a worthwhile story for readers in search of new worlds.

A promising series opener that journeys into a thrilling world.